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AfterLife Posts

275. mariano moreno

Published by Robert on 24 December 2008

Mariano Moreno, Recoleta Cemetery

One of the most recognized protagonists of Argentine history, Mariano Moreno is not buried in the simple, unadorned tomb pictured above. He died before the cemetery was founded onboard a ship traveling to the UK. His body, wrapped in a British flag, was lowered into the sea off the coast of Brazil. However Moreno’s son also shared his father’s name & built the family vault.

Mariano Moreno (father) was born & raised in the neighborhood of San Telmo in Buenos Aires to a family of limited economic means. His studies were significantly delayed until Moreno’s family could afford to send him to Chuquisaca in modern-day Bolivia. Once there, Moreno’s life changed as he became fascinated with social theory involving man’s freedom & also fell in love with María Guadalupe Cuenca. She had been destined to enter a convent, but Moreno’s love was so great that he convinced her family otherwise. Mariano Moreno (son) was born in 1804.

Moreno & family returned to Buenos Aires after he tried unsuccessfully to defend the rights of the indigenous population. By the time of the May Revolution & the Declaration of Separation issued in 1810, Moreno accepted nomination as a secretary of the Primera Junta (along with Juan José Paso). During this time Moreno founded the National Library & became heavily involved in national politics.

Mariano Moreno, Recoleta Cemetery

National organization proved difficult, & Moreno headed a faction opposed to President Saavedra. When his faction lost a key vote, Moreno attempted to resign… & was denied. As a way of separating Moreno from local politics, he was sent on a diplomatic mission to England. During the journey, he died of an accidental overdose of a medication as prescribed by the ship’s captain.

According to Genealogia Familiar, Mariano Moreno (son) married Mercedes González Balcarce Quesada & passed away in 1876. Those dates & names match what can be found today in Recoleta Cemetery:

Mariano Moreno, Recoleta Cemetery

A 1946 decree from the national organization for heritage protection states that a cenotaph for Mariano Moreno should be located in Section 7. These days it’s missing. But at least María Guadalupe Cuenca is buried alongside her son the Moreno family vault… sadly minus her husband.

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274. elisa chapman

Published by Robert on 22 December 2008

Jorge Chapman, Recoleta Cemetery

One of the most interesting combinations of religious & secular art in the cemetery. The plaque states that Jorge Chapman died in an aviation accident while on duty, & the image of a man in crucifixion position tied to an airplane’s wing is a stroke of genius. The plaque dates 19 March 1925.

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272. álvaro barros

Published by Robert on 18 December 2008

In 1866—several years before the Campaña del Desierto—Álvaro Barros went to command one of the fortified outposts on the frontlines between the indigenous population & what was considered national territory. His new settlement founded a year later near the fortress became known as Olavarría, established friendly relations with local tribes & began moderate agricultural activity.

Barros left Olavarría when his replacement arrived in 1868 but maintained active in both the military & politics. After Roca pushed the frontlines as far south as the Río Negro, all newly acquired territory in Patagonia needed to be officially incorporated into the central government. Roca named Barros Governor of Patagonia in 1878, & he reported to Roca directly… not to the Ministry of the Interior.

Two years later the final boundary was set between the Province of Buenos Aires & Patagonia at the outlet of the Río Negro. To make the separation clearer, Barros decided to move the regional capital to the area only the southern side of the river. Viedma is now considered the oldest settlement in Patagonia.

As co-founder of the land auction firm Bravo Barros y Cía, Álvaro managed to control real estate development in Patagonia & earned a lot of prestige & power at the same time. The company even auctioned off land in Buenos Aires:

Álvaro Barros, Recoleta Cemetery

Other relatives of Álvaro helped develop train lines to deliver agricultural goods for export & connect remote regions of the south to the port of Buenos Aires:

Horacio Barros, Recoleta Cemetery

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